Kosovo has entered a new political deadlock, more than two months after the early parliamentary elections held on June 7.

The Assembly has failed to complete its constitution, which began on August 6, after the leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV), Albin Kurti, requested additional time to reach a political agreement with the remaining parties, particularly regarding the position of President.

Based on a 2025 ruling by the Constitutional Court, the deadline for completing the constitution of the Assembly expired on August 7.

The Constitutional Court ruled that the Assembly must be constituted within 30 days of the certification of the election results, but it did not clarify the legal consequences if this does not happen.

LVV and its partners have enough votes to constitute the Assembly and form the government. However, according to LVV, forming them without an agreement on the President, who requires a double majority, would lead the country to new early elections.

Rising tensions

This situation generated dissatisfaction and subsequently tensions in the Assembly. LVV MP Avni Dehari, who is presiding over the constitutive session as the oldest member of parliament, called for the session to continue on August 8, one day after the constitutional deadline expired.

However, once again, LVV leader Kurti did not nominate a candidate for Speaker, requesting additional time to reach a political agreement.

As soon as Kurti took his seat after stepping down from the Assembly podium, he was pelted with eggs by Alliance for the future of Kosovo (AAK) MP Time Kadrijaj. Commotion then broke out as MPs from both parties intervened to defend and support Kurti and Kadrijaj, while Kurti’s close protection detail entered the chamber.

As a result, the session, which was heading toward adjournment after no candidate had been nominated, was interrupted.

Tensions peaked again four days later, when the Assembly was receiving members of the diaspora on holiday in Kosovo.

Verbal clashes escalated into physical pushing between MPs as they engaged in heated arguments over how the process of constituting the new legislature should be unblocked.

Physical altercations occurred on two occasions between MPs from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the AAK and LVV MPs. The disputes were also accompanied by water and papers being thrown.

Amid these developments, a group of intellectuals and academics, through an open letter, called on MPs to form the institutions.

Positions of the parties

The Democratic Party of Kosovo insists that the constitution of the Assembly should not be delayed, arguing that the constitutional obligation remains in force even after the 30-day deadline has expired.

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has also called for the formation of the institutions. It was the only party to hold talks with LVV on a possible agreement. Likewise, the AAK has called for the continuation of the constitutive session.

PDK and the Alliance accuse LVV of deliberately violating the constitutional deadlines in order to send the country to new elections at the end of the year, when, according to them, a large number of Kurti’s supporters are in Kosovo. LVV claims that it is not violating the Constitution.

Despite the accusations of constitutional violations, none of the parties has referred the issue to the Constitutional Court.

PDK and the AAK have also accused LVV of violating the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, which stipulate that “adjournments during the constitutive session may not be longer than 48 hours.”

Although the presiding officer has not called a session based on this provision of the Rules of Procedure, MPs from these parties have gone to the Assembly chamber to demand its constitution. However, on several occasions, they found the doors locked.

They subsequently accused LVV of pressuring the Assembly administration, but LVV denied the allegation.

Failure of negotiations with LDK

An agreement between LVV and LDK could potentially secure the votes needed for the election of the President as well. But the talks failed. LDK insisted on being given the post of President, but LVV refused.

Later, LDK withdrew from the talks, describing the offer to become part of the government as dismissive, and saying that it no longer wanted the presidency.

However, the party pledged to support a consensus President.

LVV leader Albin Kurti welcomed this position and called on the parties to accept meetings and reach an agreement.

However, PDK does not trust LVV, while the AKK has said it supports the election of a president if Kurti’s party implements its six demands, which include accepting the U.S.-backed gas project, as well as providing relief for businesses and farmers.

These two parties, which were in opposition during the previous legislature, have also rejected a meeting after being invited by Acting President Albulena Haxhiu, a senior LVV official.

The failure to elect a President was one of the reasons why Kosovo held early elections on June 7.

Funds at risk

The European Union has called on political parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible on a joint candidate for President. Brussels has warned that delays in forming the institutions could hinder reforms and affect Kosovo’s access to EU funds.

The lack of fully functional institutions puts more than €150 million at risk for Kosovo, as the implementation of 27 reforms must be completed by December 2026.

These financial resources are part of the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

Kosovo is allocated €882.6 million under the plan for the 2024–2027 period, while so far the country has received €61.8 million in pre-financing.

To receive the remaining funds, Kosovo must demonstrate that it has implemented the required reforms.